yrFuF49rHw

7. – What mark did you get for your composition1?

– I was given an excellent mark2.

1translation, test, examination

2a good mark, a satisfactory mark, a bad mark

8. – Where can I find the Dean1?

– He is probably in the Dean’s ofice2.

1the English teacher, the tutor, the lecturer

2the staff room, the lecture room, the faculty office

9. – What are you going to do tomorrow morning1?

– I think I’ll be reading up/or the exam2.

1in the afternoon, tonight

2writing an essay, reading up for the seminar, revising for the test, preparing for my class

Exercise 19

The curriculum at the faculty of foreign languages consists of several subjects which all students must study. Make a list of these subjects. In class speak about your favourites and the ones you dislike(d). Explain to your partners why you enjoy(ed) or don’t (didn’t) enjoy them.

Exercise 20

When do we say the following about people? Give answers, using the pat-

tern.

► Pattern: She never misses classes.

We say, ‘She never misses classes’ if she attends classes regularly.

1.Nick has a good command of English.

2.Richard has done well in his exams.

3.Donna lags behind the group.

4.Brenda keeps up with the rest of the group.

5.Susan has failed in her exam.

6.Ray is burning the midnight oil.

7.Sara can’t learn English just by picking it up.

8.David and Steve never disrupt classes.

9.Max never cribs at exams.

10.Brandon lacks fluency.

11.Helen is fond of playing truant.

Exercise 21

Name at least two or three situations that cause you feel the emotions listed below.

► Pattern: I find talking about things that don’t interest me boring. Ifind writing long tests annoying.

boring – attending lectures (seminars, classes) embarrassing – taking notes

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depressing – reading up (for) confusing – making reports exciting – writing essays annoying – doing one’s homework worrying – correcting mistakes

amusing – translating from Russian into English (from English into Russian)

rendering texts doing exercises listening to the tapes

transcribing and intoning working on one’s thesis participating in class missing classes disrupting classes

coming late to one’s classes (lectures, exams) cheating (in exams and tests)

taking examinations failing examinations retaking examinations

Continue the list. Compare your answers with those of other students in the class. Discuss these situations and the feelings they cause. Also discuss what activities you think difficult and what – easy.

Exercise 22

Complain about some things or activities at college (at the university) that

annoy you. Talk about something that you do not enjoy. Explain why. Work in

pairs.

► Use:

For complaining:

I’m beginning to get rather tired of ...

I’ve had (I have) a lot of trouble with ...

The trouble with ... is that ...

I’m sick and tired of ...

They should/ought to ...

I’m not at all satisfied with ...

For agreement: For disagreement:

Yes, it is a problem, isn’t it? Really? I can’t say I’ve

Yes, it can be a problem, particularly noticed that ...

can’t it? I can see what you mean but …

I think I can understand Oh, come on, it isn’t that bad.

how you feel.

Yes, I know what you mean.

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Exercise 23

Speak in class what you feel when:

you get a bad mark; you fall (lag) behind the group; you fail (in) an examination; you read up for an examination late at night; you miss classes; you come late to classes; you keep up with the rest of the group; you catch up with the rest; you have to retake an examination; you work in the library at the weekend; you work on your dissertation on holiday; you spend sleepless nights over a load of books; you look up every word in your dictionary when reading an English book; you are not prepared for the class; you are given virtually no time to digest and remember several chapters; the telephone rings while you are doing your homework; your essay is well-received; another student cheats at an examination or test.

► Patterns: I feel like a failure when I fall behind the group.

I feel pleased/confused/bored, etc. when I catch up with the rest.

Exercise 24

Guess what the people in the picture feel and why. Use the topical vocab-

ulary.

► Patterns: He looks satisfied. He must have got a good mark. She looks bored. She must be listening to a boring lecture.

Exercise 25

Translate into English.

1.Она поступила в университет прошлым летом и закончит его только через четыре года.

2.Лучше не пропускать занятия, а то можно быстро отстать от группы. Хорошо известно, что нагонять всегда сложнее.

3.Все студенты в группе получили зачёт по языкознанию. Это было серьёзное испытание.

4.Мой любимый предмет, конечно же, английский. А ещё мне нравятся страноведение Великобритании и США.

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5.Я не очень люблю писать диктанты и изложения, но понимаю, что это необходимо для приобретения навыков письменной речи.

6.Расписание составляется таким образом, чтобы лекции чередовались с практическими занятиями.

7.Староста нашей группы получила стипендию от Британского Совета. Она будет учиться в Лондонском университете и одновременно писать дипломную работу.

8.Не думаю, что, готовясь к экзаменам, имеет смысл всю ночь не ложиться спать. Эффект от такой подготовки может быть обратный.

9.Больше всего я боюсь провалить экзамен по психологии, поэтому стараюсь всё выучить почти наизусть.

10.В штате преподавателей у нас три профессора, четыре доцента, пять старших преподавателей и семь ассистентов.

11.Проверяя контрольные работы, преподаватель отмечает ошибки

на полях.

12.В эту сессию будет один письменный и два устных зачёта, а также четыре экзамена.

13.В начале года в деканате всем первокурсникам выдали студенческие билеты и зачётные книжки.

14.Когда я начинаю делать домашнее задание, то долго не могу сконцентрироваться на работе – меня постоянно что-то отвлекает.

15.В обучении ему не нужно прикладывать никаких усилий – он всё хватает на лету.

Exercise 26

An old Chinese saying states that “a picture is worth a thousand words”. With a partner discuss each of these pictures. Answer the questions below.

1.What has happened? Why do you think so?

2.What is happening now? Why do you think so?

3.What is going to happen? Why do you think so?

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Exercise 27

I. Read and translate the story.

Distractions are a problem Barbara has to deal with when she is supposed to be studying. She spends too much time on the phone. She intends to concentrate on her homework, but finds herself talking to friends or writing letter instead of reading up for seminars, taking notes or writing essays. It is hard for her to say, ‘No, I can’t do this or go there. I have to study.’ Her homework often suffers because she procrastinates. When she studies in her room, it is full of distractions. Her phone, radio, tape player and her cat are there. She finds herself daydreaming, answering the phone, listening to tapes or petting the cat. She is often disturbed by family members. It is easy to see where all her time goes – not to studying. Now she is letting the answering machine do its job. She puts the cat out before she starts to study. Her homework is now done before everyone gets home from work.

II. Find the English equivalents for the following.

Решать проблему; тратить время на что-либо; сконцентрироваться на чём-либо; готовиться к семинару; делать пометки; писать эссе; откладывать со дня на день; мечтать; её часто отвлекают; время уходит; приходить домой с работы.

III. Speak about your distractions. Use the patterns from the text:

1)Barbara is supposed to be studying.

2)Barbara has to deal with a problem.

3)Barbara finds herself talking to friends instead of reading up for seminars.

4)Barbara is often disturbed by family members.

IV. Listening. Track 3. BBC Learning English, 6 min English “Is social

media a distraction”.

How often do you check your phone? According to some stats, it’s a minimum of 85 times a day. Neil and Sophie discuss how social media is interrupting our lives and may be changing our physiology too!

What is “This week’s question”?

_______________________________? Is it…

a)_________?

b)_________?

c)_________?

You can hear the right answer at the end of the programme. What are the definitions of the Vocabulary items?

etiquette

wind someone up

have a connection with someone physiology

interact intimacy snub

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Exercise 28

I. Read and translate the story. Answer and discuss in class the questions below. Continue the story.

It took a couple of weeks for classes to get settled, and then we got down to the nitty-gritty. As homework began pouring in, and tests loomed on the horizon, I realised that my study skills were very poor and that it was going to be a challenge in itself to teach myself to study. I experimented with several tactics, trying to find out what would work for me. I started out in the bedroom with the door closed, but it seemed the phone was always ringing. I managed to get my work done, but I was not pleased with this frustrating situation. Later I tried going outside and preparing somewhere in the yard. I ended up chatting with a neighbour, petting her dog. Cleariy, something had to be changed. As my workload increased, so did my frustration. Quite by accident, however, I found the solution to my problem...

II. Find the English equivalents to the Russian words and phrases.

На это ушла пара недель, прийти в норму, засесть за что-либо, повседневная работа, наваливаться, маячить, слабые навыки, вызов, экспериментировать с чем-либо, обнаружить, начинать (разг.), удаваться, оканчиваться, удручающая ситуация, выходить из дома, болтать, работа накапливалась, разочарование, совершенно случайно, решение проблемы.

III. Answer the questions and express your opinion on the following.

1.What advice would you give to a friend of yours if he or she had to deal with the problem of distraction?

2.What tactics do you personally choose to get yourself organised and sit down to work?

3.Discuss in class the problem of getting oneself organised and concentrated when doing one’s homework.

Exercise 29

The passages below are the beginnings of different stories. Finish the stories, using the vocabulary from the text and the topical vocabulary.

‘Finally, the summer ended and college began. Carol dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, slung her book bag over her shoulder and set out for her first class ...’

‘Thomas is sitting in the dining-room looking at the mess strewn around. He calls this his office. The table is covered with an assortment of books, pens, and papers. Hanging on the back of a chair is his black leather book bag. He is finally a college student ...’

‘The term is coming to a close. I look upon it with sadness. I will miss my teachers and the friendships I have made ...’

‘I am looking forward to the next term, but I also get nervous thinking about my new classes. Each term the classes will get a little harder and more

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challenging. I hope I am up to all those new challenges. I love to learn, but I still have a little fear of failing...’

Exercise 30

Read and translate the passage. Answer the questions below.

Most people who have trouble with schoolwork don’t lack intelligence – instead. Rather, they are trapped by their own attitudes towards the work. One attitude that gets in many students’ way is the “I can’t do it” syndrome. Instead of making an honest effort to do the work, the “I can’t do it” type give up before they begin. Then there’s the “I’m too tired” excuse. Students with this problem give in to the temptation to nap whenever there is work to be done. Another common excuse for low achievement is “the instructor is boring”. These students expect every course to be highly entertaining and claim they can’t be expected to learn anything otherwise.

1.What do you think of the “I can’t do it” type?

2.What do you think of the “I’m too tired” type?

3.What do you think of the “I’m too bored” type?

4.Are there people of any of these types among your friends or class-

mates?

5.What type are you? Why?

6.What would you say about your attitude towards studies?

7.Can you think of some more types?

8.What are common excuses for low achievements in this country?

9.Can you imagine an exemplary student? Speak about exemplary students and ordinary ones.

Exercise 31

People like to learn differently. Some people learn better by listening, white others need to see the information. Your answers to the questions below may give you some idea of how you prefer to learn. When you have finished, compare your answers with those of other people in your class.

1.Do you prefer to learn by listening to the teacher’s lecture? (Yes or No)

2.Do you prefer to learn by reading and studying your textbooks? (Yes or

No)

3.Do you prefer to learn by studying or working with other people? (Yes

or No)

4.Do you prefer to study by yourself? (Yes or No)

5.Do you like to ask the teacher questions? (Yes or No)

6.When you study for a test, you read your notes, don’t you?

7.When you study for a test, you read your notes aloud, don’t you?

8.When you study for a test, you rewrite your notes, don’t you?

9.Do you like to memorize facts? (Yes or No)

10.Do you like to think about ideas? (Yes or No)

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Exercise 32

Respond to the statements. Work in pairs.

1.Teachers prefer dull students to bright ones. They are easier to manage.

2.You know what students are like nowadays! They are getting less and less intelligent every day.

3.To my mind, colleges shouldn’t provide students with general knowledge. Emphasis should be placed on professional skills.

4.I don’t think it is important for students to learn how to work with dictionaries.

You may need the following phrases to express your surprise: You don’t say so!

You must be joking! You can’t be serious! Go on (with you)!

Exercise 33

Challenge the following statements. Give your reasons.

1.When you don’t understand your teacher’s explanation you don’t ask to explain again because this is very embarrassing.

2.When you are really too sick to go to class you go anyway. It would be rude not to go.

3.When you feel that you are not doing well in a course, you stop going to class because you don’t have time to do the work.

4.If you have the feeling that the teacher doesn’t like you, you do the best you can do under the circumstances.

5.If you don’t like to answer or ask questions in class you ask to speak to the teacher and explain your shyness.

Exercise 34

Discuss college life in this country. Use these questions as a guide for your discussion.

1.What do students wear to college?

2.How do students get to college?

3.How do students know which class to go to?

4.How do students greet the teacher?

5.How does the teacher greet the students?

6.How do students address the teacher?

7.When does the term begin?

8.How long does it last?

9.How long is the college day?

10.Who decides what a student will study?

11.Who decides which students will attend college?

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Exercise 35

Find out how colleges and universities in this country have changed since your teachers were students. Ask your teacher to tell you about what it was like when he or she was at college. Present an oral report on changes in Russian colleges and universities.

Exercise 36

Match the English idioms in the left column with their Russian equivalents in the right column. Illustrate the meanings of the English idioms by your own

Exercise 37

Translate the proverbs into Russian and comment upon them.

1.A man is never too old to learn.

2.Education covers a lot of ground but it doesn’t cultivate it.

3.Live and learn.

4.By doing nothing we learn to do ill.

5.Better untaught than ill taught.

6.Brevity is the soul of wit.

7.Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

Exercise 38

Translate the following quotations and comment upon them.

‘A university should be a place of light, of liberty and of learning.’

Benjamin Disraeli

‘Knowledge is a city, to the building of which every human being brought a stone.’

Ralph W. Emerson

‘Knowledge is power.’

Francis Bacon

‘Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.’

Alfred Tennyson

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Exercise 39

Fill in the gaps with the following words and word-combinations:

1.I went to the local college to … a course in economics.

2.Some parents who can afford the … send their children to private school.

3.In my last years at school we had to … there subjects and I chose physics, chemistry and mathematics.

4.At the moment I’m studying for my secretarial …

5.In my country … is only worn at private schools.

6.He watched us closely during exams so that we didn’t …

7.You have to be really strict to … with some of the pupils you get nowadays.

8.I went to … so I only saw my parents during the holidays.

9.I wish I had gone to a … rather than a single sex school as I’m sure I wouldn’t be so shy when I meet people

10.We grade pupils on the basis of … at the end-of-term tests.

11.In some countries children are put … by their parents to get good exam results.

12.The first year I worked at the factory I attended a … at the local college. 13.The change from primary to … was quite traumatic for him.

14.Can I borrow your lecture notes? I’ve got to … tomorrow’s test. 15.I went on a four-week course to … my English.

16.Is what we’re learning really … the life we’re going to lead when we leave school?

Exercise 40

Fill in the gaps with the following words and word-combinations:

If you want to … university, you must first … that most students take at the age of eighteen (called “A” levels). Most students take three “A” levels (three exams in three different subjects) and they must do well in order to … a place at university because the places are limited. At the moment, approximately 30% of young adults go to university in Britain.

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